Presented by: Susan Scharoun, PhD, Professor, Psychology Department, Le Moyne College

Approved to provide 2.0 CE hours for Social Work licenses (LMSW, LCSW).

Communication is one of the most important pieces of the delivery of services to people with an Intellectual and Developmental Disability (IDD). Individuals with IDD often face communication challenges, both receptively and expressively, making it essential for professionals to use effective strategies to understand their needs and wants.  In order to provide appropriate support, professionals in the field need to understand the various ways in which people with an IDD express themselves as well as strategies to help the person develop skills to be a more effective communicator. 

Recognizing that behaviorally challenging behaviors may be the only way a person with an IDD knows how to get needs met is one the most important steps in helping someone change their behavior.  People with IDD may have varying communication abilities, ranging from verbal speech to non-verbal cues, requiring professionals to adapt their approach to each individual.  Therefore, it essential for professionals to use effective strategies to understand their needs and provide appropriate support; poor communication can significantly hinder quality care delivery.  Positive behavior support will be encouraged as a prosocial method for addressing communication challenges. 

About Susan Scharoun:

Dr. Susan Scharoun has a Ph.D. in Psychology from Syracuse University. After graduating from S.U., she received a National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) post-doctoral fellowship to do brain research in the Department of Anatomy and Center for Brain Research at the University of Rochester Medical School.

Dr. Scharoun was employed by NYS Office of People with a Developmental Disability as an Associate Psychologist and Treatment Team Leader for seventeen years before becoming a Professor in the Department of Psychology at Le Moyne College, where she was the chair of the department for over a decade.

Her research interests include autism and addressing challenging behaviors with positive behavioral support. Dr. Scharoun has taught courses such as Brain and Behavior, Childhood Disorders, Human Lifespan Development, Motivation and Emotion, Personality Theory, Human Lifespan Development, The Psychology of Disabilities and Health Psychology. She is a consultant psychologist for several not-for-profit agencies that serve children and adults with developmental disabilities.

Dr. Scharoun is on the Board of Directors of ARC of Onondaga and is the co-author of the e-publication of Dual Diagnosis, A Caregiver’s Guide. Dr. Scharoun is a sibling of a person with a developmental disability and a strong advocate for families.

The New York Alliance for Inclusion & Innovation is recognized by the New York State Education Department's State Board for Social Work as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed social workers (#SW-0105).